A double EDge College EDge

A double EDge

Yeshiva mentoring program builds scholars and mentors

Story and photos by Robin Elisabeth Kilmer

“Being here has opened my mind,” said Shakir King.

Johan Rubin is a busy man.

Although he has already graduated from Yeshiva University, he was back at his alma mater this past Fri., Feb. 22nd directly after a taking a test on infectious diseases at Columbia Presbyterian, where he attends medical school.

While Rubin furthers his higher education, he hopes to encourage the pursuits of the same for others.

Rubin founded College EDdge two years ago while still a student at Yeshiva. There were three organizers and 25 mentors then.

The program provides mentors and guidance to students from the Youth Adult Borough Center (YABC) based at George Washington High School, and also places YABC students in internships at Yeshiva.

Rubin is busy, but happy.

From left to right: Lolita Wood-Hill, Director of Pre-Health Advisement at Yeshiva College and Executive Director of College EDge; Chaim Szachtel, President of College EDge; Ronit Goldberg, Vice President of College EDge; and Angela Márquez, Student Aid Counselor at Yeshiva College.

“I’ve gotten a lot of life skills from doing this, and it makes me feel more part of the community. I walk down the street and recognize students from George Washington,” he said. “And the program has become much bigger than I anticipated.”

Three years later, there were 12 organizing board members and up to 50 mentors at Friday’s Third Annual College EDge Seminar and College Fair Day, which featured a full day’s program of workshops and career and college mentoring.

Shakir King was one of approximately 250 students in attendance.

King is 20, and has passed all his Regents exams, but is still working on getting enough credits to graduate high school.

“It was awesome meeting the Yeshiva students,” said the Bronx native.

King, who said he used to be in trouble frequently, is behind in credits. He had stopped going to glasses on account of the fights he was getting into.

“I wasn’t in a good place [before],” he said.

But there and then at Yeshiva, after chatting with representatives from different colleges, he felt optimistic.

“Before I never thought about college, but being here has opened my mind,” he said, smiling.

The College EDge fair was a full day’s program of workshops and career and college mentoring.

Benny Veloz, who runs the YABC program at George Washington, said College EDge has definitely had a positive effect on the students.

“There’s a drastic change in the kids that continually attend the program. Meeting with their mentors, they grasp an understanding of how to become a college student,” he said.

Rubin attributes the growth and success of College EDge to the work of dedicated volunteers.

“I work with great people. Yeshiva is filled with people who are motivated and on top of things,” said Rubin.

Later during the day, the mentor volunteers of College EDge mingled with students over slices of hot pizza.

Rubin and College EDge’s current president, Chaim Szatchel, were also excited about the presence of local elected officials who stopped in to speak directly with the students.

Rubin explained that they are trying to open chapters at other colleges and get them to work with their local YABCs.

So far, the program has been extended to Stern College, a branch of Yeshiva University in midtown. Also new is the Med EDge program Rubin unfolded last month, which strives to help students find a path in the medical field.

And organizers felt the day had been a success upon which to build.

“A lot of people have said that this is the best one yet,” said Szatchel.